Force Multiplier: “Any factor that dramatically increases effectiveness” What does the military term “force multiplier” have to do with missionary service? At least three things have dramatically increased our ministry effectiveness, helping us carry out our God-given mission.
The Motorcycle Assistance Program (MAP) is a force multiplier for church multiplication. We just presented four Filipino workers with new motorcycles to use in their church planting ministries. One church planter explained that by having his own motorcycle, he will be able to make multiple trips each week to his church plant area at a fraction of the cost of public transportation.
One-time gifts, given as God prompts people to give, are a force multiplier as well. As we prepared for another training trip, we knew it would once again be “by faith.” Since we now need $2400/month of regular support, we pay for all of our ministry expenses personally unless God provides above what our supporters have pledged to give. Once again, we watched as God sent one after another one-time gift until all of the expenses for the trip were fully paid. We thank God for each of our regular supporters, many of whom have faithfully supported us since we first deployed as missionaries 25 years ago. Their faithfulness is multiplied by the one tenth of our support that comes through unexpected gifts. Pray with us that some of these supporters may be able to partner with us regularly.
The greatest force multiplier ever is prayer. Just as calling in air support makes ground troops much more effective, prayer makes our humble efforts fruitful beyond anything we can imagine. Once again, God turned a typhoon away from the Philippines as I was travelling toward it. Even though my teaching schedule was doubled after I arrived, God gave me grace to preach and teach long hours. When I taught the Church Planting workshop, as we waited for other churches to arrive, I was able to teach a doctrinal study on “Loving Law; Living Grace.” Afterward, the pastor of the host church said it was exactly what his congregation had been asking him about. At another church, the church leaders said that the sermon on the grace of giving fit perfectly in their sermon series. In all of this your prayers made us more effective.
One of our most faithful supporters and prayer partners, Elsie “Mom” Sutton, passed on to heaven on October 4. Joy’s grandmother’s prayers and encouragement will be sorely missed.
Thank you for being force multipliers for us! Your prayers and support dramatically increase our effectiveness, as we work to train “force multipliers” for Christ.
Servants together,
David & Joy & Weaver Family
Praise:
- God supplied four motorcycles for church planters to start MAP (Motorcycle Assistance Program).
- God supplied all our financial needs for our recent training trip.
- God doubled the teaching schedule, yet kept us healthy and safe.
Prayer:
- Pray that the Filipino church planters will be even more effective with their new motorcycles.
- Pray for God to provide $2400/month in needed regular support.
- Pray for new prayer warriors to take up where Grandma “Mom” Sutton left off.